So he carefully wrapped up in his robe a piece of ice which he happened to find, and managed to take it to the king by way of a present.

But when they reached the palace he sought entrance first, and bade his brother follow close behind.

Already the slaves of the king, in order to receive him with mockery as he entered, had laid a slippery hide on the threshold; and when Erik stepped upon it, they suddenly jerked it away by dragging a rope, and would have tripped him as he stood upon it, had not Roller, following behind, caught his brother on his breast as he tottered.

So Erik, having half fallen, said that "bare was the back of the brotherless." And when Gunwar said that such a trick ought not to be permitted by a king, the king condemned the folly of the messenger who took no heed against treachery.

And thus he excused his flout by the heedlessness of the man he flouted.
Within the palace was blazing a fire, which the aspect of the season required: for it was now gone midwinter.